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Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020
ROAD TRANSPORT
NEWS
Martyn Sim, Divisional Manager—General Transport for Hilton Haulage based in Christchurch, ensures health
and safety protocols are in place.
COVID-19 resurgence
ALERT LEVEL PLANNING Just when you thought it was safe to
go back to normal, the country is
HEALTH & SAFETY battling the pandemic again. What do
lockdowns and alert levels mean for
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS the road transport industry?
RTANZ NEWS 1
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020
Principal Road Transport Associa1on NZ Inc. Sponsor
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RTANZ NEWS 2
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020
Contents
PAGE 4
From the Chief Operating Officer
Simon Carson updates members on the challenges facing the road transport industry.
PAGE 6
COVID-19 resurgence
After more than a 100 days without community transmission of COVID-19, a new
outbreak forced a return to restrictions. How did the industry cope?
PAGE 10
Debating drugs and transport
Road Transport Forum chief executive Nick Leggett says it’s essential that the industry
thinks about the upcoming marijuana referendum.
PAGE 24
Around the regions
RTANZ Area Executives round up news and developments from around New Zealand.
PAGE 28
Obituary
A farewell to Wairarapa road transport identity Doug Gray.
Events Contact Us
September 4: Region 2 AGM, Mount Maunganui Website: rtanz.co.nz
Ocean Sports Club, Salisbury Avenue, Pilot Bay, 4:00 0800 367 782
p.m. Chief Operating Officer: Simon Carson,
September 19: Region 3 AGM (CARTA, regional scarson@rtanz.co.nz, 027 55 66 099
branches): National Service Club, 310 Market Street, Editor: David Killick, Communications Manager,
Hastings, 4:00 p.m.; Central Area RTA, 5:00 p.m. dkillick@rtanz.co.nz, 027 55 44 272
October 9: Region 5 AGM, The Gate Hotel, Administration: Victoria Higgs,
Cromwell, 4:00 p.m.; dinner at Forage restaurant at admin@rtanz.co.nz, 027 365 2075
The Gate Hotel, drinks 6.00 p.m., dinner 7:00 p.m. Membership Benefits Coordinator: Vicki Harris,
vharris@rtanz.co.nz, 027 534 3848
October 16: Region Four AGM (venue to be
confirmed) We welcome contributions and feedback for this
magazine.
RTANZ NEWS 3
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020
Chief Operating Officer
Cause for cautious optimism in industry
By Simon Carson
job advertisements as an average, and jobs
advertised in the manufacturing, logistics, and
transport sector have increased by 65 per cent.
This is attributed to transport businesses and
supply chains continuing to operate as essential
services through the lockdown.
It is fair for people to feel cautiously optimistic
as restrictions ease and consumers are
encouraged to get out and spend in their
communities. These employment figures are on
the incline yet are still down on the same period
in 2019 as New Zealand recovers.
Recruitment in the transport sector has
changed to suit the market with many more short
term or seasonal contracts being awarded to
serve peaks and troughs of nationwide
businesses. Furthermore, the transport industry
C
rises and deadlocks when they occur have for the first time in many years has a wider
at least this advantage, that they force us candidate audience when attracting workers.
to think. If COVID has done anything for I attended a Waka Kotahi New Zealand
us, it has served as a practice run for the Transport Agency meeting at the end of August
significant focus to environmental change we with the new CEO, Nicole Rosie, and other
face as an industry and a nation in decades to stakeholders. The agency offered an assurance
come. that transport projects currently in place will
It has been encouraging to continue to be expedited to
see previously uninterested minimise the impact of
parts of industry once again “The media will deliver COVID-19.
take value in work the dire statistics…yet when Money from the COVID
association is doing, especially you look at nationwide Response and Recovery Fund
during the second round of (CRRF) has been allocated to
COVID New Zealanders are
job seeker figures, they the National Land Transport
experiencing. Transport show a different story. ” Programme (NLTP) due to the
operators who once shunned effect of the pandemic on the
the value proposition RTANZ transport budget, as follows:
has for industry have now put their hands up to Allocation of key funding:
become part of RTA and the One Voice required
to solve what can be complex concerns only • $425m borrowing available to Waka Kotahi
through collaboration. NZTA for 2019/20, repayable over seven years;
I have visited many operators around the • $600m top up from the CRRF to the NLTP;
country in the past few months and this has • Up to $300m additional could be made
identified what an adaptive bunch transport
available to Waka Kotahi NZTA for further
businesses can be, and when forced to think
support.
many have identified opportunity.
The media will deliver dire statistics like 250 Transport Minister Phil Twyford said: “Waka
jobs being lost every day through Level 3 in Kotahi (NZTA) will have the funding needed to
Auckland alone, yet when you push this to one keep building infrastructure despite lower
side and look at nationwide job seeker figures, revenue being collected from petrol excise
they show a different story. New Zealand has
duty and road user charges due to COVID.”
seen a 46 per cent month-on-month increase in
RTANZ NEWS 4
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020
“Transport projects “Waka Kotahi
currently in place (NZTA) will have
will continue to be the funding
expedited to needed to keep
minimise the building
impact of infrastructure.”
COVID-19.” —Transport Minister
—Waka Kotahi NZTA CEO Phil Twyford
Nicole Rosie
As we head into the last quarter for 2020, greener pastures I refer to the agricultural
RTANZ embarks on another round of Annual sector. I would like to thank Scott for his work
General Meetings. This year has been a year over the past 18 months and wish him all the
for change right across New Zealand, and best for the future. I have advertised an Area
RTANZ is no exception to this. Executive role on Seek which has attracted
One thing I am confident of is that the some good applicants, and in the meantime
changes that have been made, and those still Scott’s email address is being monitored
to come, have been made for the right through the Christchurch office, so please use
reasons and to make the association the best this for communication until we have made an
that it can be for our members. appointment. I will keep members updated on
I would encourage you to take a look at the what’s happening in your region.
AGM dates for your region and, if you can
make it along then, please take the time to do Call Simon Carson on 027 55 66 099, 0800
so. Many of you I have not yet met and I look 367 782, or email: scarson@rtanz.co.nz
forward to having this opportunity in the
coming months.
Finally, Scott Asplet has recently left
RTANZ to move to greener pastures, and by
RTANZ NEWS 5
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020
Cover story
Resurgence tests road transport industry
By David Killick
Y
es, we all thought
we’d cracked it,
didn’t we? Life went
back to normal, we could
visit places, and travel
around the country again.
Not so fast. We made it past
100 days with no community
transmission—a heroic
achievement—but late at
night on August 11, cell
phones chimed with an
emergency alert warning:
COVID-19 was back in the
community.
Less than 24 hours later,
Auckland was in a Level 3
lockdown and the rest of the
country went to Level 2.
Police and military personnel Martyn Sim, Divisional Manager—General Transport for Hilton Haulage based
scrambled to put in Christchurch, ensures health and safety protocols are in place.
checkpoints across all road
links into and out of New Zealand’s largest city. RTANZ chief operating officer Simon Carson
Predictably, roads clogged up as drivers says the association is doing all it can to provide
faced lengthy delays and locals queued at day-to-day assistance for members. (See
COVID-19 testing stations. Simon’s column on Page 4.)
Road Transport Forum chief executive Nick Others wanted to know what to do about
Leggett called for fast lanes for trucks. The certification and COFs that would expire. Same
move was commonsense. It helped. advice as before: They would be deferred but
Police Assistant operators should check and
Commissioner Richard maintain their vehicles to ensure
Chambers told Radio New “Be prepared for they stay as safe as possible.
Zealand’s Morning Report that holdups and ensure Martyn Sim, Divisional
checkpoints were dealing with Manager—General Transport for
you have all the
huge volumes of traffic and Hilton Haulage based in
dedicated lanes for trucks necessary written Christchurch, said companies
carrying freight were working documentation.” found traveling in and out of
well. Leggett warned against Auckland “challenging”.
some drivers reportedly carrying Checkpoints created delays and
passengers through the checkpoints. This was the public didn’t always understand these were
unacceptable and could be counterproductive sometimes unavoidable.
for the industry. Meanwhile, back at the Christchurch depot,
The Road Transport Association fielded many Sim said health and safety protocols were in
calls from members wanting to know if they place. These included sanitizing vehicles’ cabs
could travel to Auckland. The answer was yes, if before changing drivers and wearing masks
you were able to do so during the first lockdown when visiting public places. Although the
—but be prepared for holdups and ensure you company had ordered 6,000 disposable masks,
have all the necessary written documentation they were in heavy demand and there would
with you to prove where you are going. likely be a shortage.
RTANZ NEWS 6
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020 Everyone should have downloaded the government’s COVID-19 contact tracing app onto their phone and be using it to scan the code displayed prominently outside business premises. Drivers who had visited ports in Tauranga and Timaru had to get tested for COVID-19. Americold, where Auckland workers tested positive for the virus, said it did not believe transmission would have come via frozen freight and a thorough investigation appeared to confirm this. How the virus arrived was unclear. Nevertheless, most people agreed it was better to be safe than sorry and to err on the side of caution. As of publication date, the situation remains uncertain. COVID-19 could well flare up again, and until the world has a safe and widely available vaccine, caution remains the watchword. While it is widely agreed that testing at the border and at managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities could have been better, the government and authorities acted fast to tighten Businesses must follow strict procedures up controls. including displaying the government’s COVID-19 What matters now is that everybody contact tracing app. continues to work together for the good of the whole community. RTANZ advises the following: • Check out the RTF website for all the latest COVID-19 advice: https://www.rtfnz.co.nz/ covid-19/ • Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has further information about regional alert levels, temporary document extensions, and frequently asked questions: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/ about-us/coronavirus-disease-covid-19- services-update/ • Ensure that your business is up to date with current health and safety requirements, including PPE and masks, and that it is using the government’s COVID-19 contact tracer app. • Make sure your business has a health and safety plan in place in case the virus takes off again. (See the article from Safe Business Solutions on Page 8.) • Only follow reliable advice from a trustworthy source. Ignore rumours being spread on social media. RTANZ NEWS 7
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020
Health & Safety
Are employers ready for more disruption?
Safe Business Solutions has advice on how to cope with a resurgence of COVID-19
A
re employers prepared, in order to Business continuity planning
manage the next wave of the pandemic? This emerging second wave is bound to lead
Many employers in New Zealand are to a spike in stress levels once again and we
experiencing low-level anxiety regarding a should expect and prepare for it accordingly.
second wave of coronavirus cases emerging. Building resilience must be part of our “new
The pandemic is far from over worldwide and necessary”. The government has indicated that
New Zealanders were reminded of this as New Zealand may transition in and out of
Aucklanders experienced a move back to Alert lockdown as and when necessary to contain
Level 3 and the rest of the country moved to the transmission of COVID-19 within the
Level 2. community. As this approach
While there have been is introduced with a view to
constant warnings by economists “Building resilience maintaining “business as
around the world about the
oncoming devastating and deep
must be part of our usual” as much as possible,
small to medium businesses,
global recession, employers may ‘new necessary’.” too, must adopt a nimble
still be uncertain about how to approach to ensure continuity
inspire confidence in employees of their operations.
and successfully navigate this second wave of One of the key recommendations in easing
infection. concern and reassuring employees during
The fear is not baseless as we hear about an uncertain times is to regularly update the
aggressive new wave of infections in company’s business continuity plan. The plan
Europe and Australia. Just when life was slowly should not be used as a bolt-on to business
easing into a “new normal”, with people operations, but rather should be used as a core
returning to mingling in large groups, dining platform of the overall business model. Some
out, and returning to offices, cities have been employers use a business continuity plan as a
forced to return to lockdown in an attempt to one-off reference document in case of a natural
contain the spread. disaster such as an earthquake.
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RTANZ NEWS 8
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020
A well-prepared plan that is realistic, scalable, • Provide support to employees, such as
and flexible will help businesses and employees educational webinars, provide information
to better adapt to the changing severity of any booklets, articles or website links that guide
health, emergency response, or security threats. on managing stress, as well as social
Employers should also educate employees activities (virtual if based in Auckland) to
on the need to be flexible and embrace change, connect and de-stress together;
and encourage them to take on new skills and
• Check in regularly with employees and show
roles. This includes coping with new technology appreciation for their work. This demonstrates
to remain operational through the pandemic. they are valued for their contribution;
Mental health awareness • Where possible, provide or link employees to
Managing mental health must be an support and counselling services, such as
important focus in an employer’s strategy. As an through an employee assistance program.
employer, whether you’re attending to the In supporting employees, employers should
financial or operational side of your business, it also remember to check in with their managers
affects people. So while employers remain regarding their wellbeing and the issues they
focused on adapting their business operations may be dealing with on behalf of the business,
to protect the financial health of their company, and are dealing with themselves. They should
it is also an employer’s responsibility to consider make time for rest, set healthy goals, not just for
the human element behind the changes. the business, but for themselves as well.
In order to build a supportive and adaptive
workplace, employers should:
• For advice or support in employment, human
resources, recruitment, health and safety, or
• Ensure employees have access to accurate business continuity planning matters, call the
information and timely advice on the evolving SBS team on freephone 0508 424 723.
COVID-19 situation (the Ministry of Health
website is helpful). This can help to minimise
anxiety;
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RTANZ NEWS 9
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020
Road Transport Forum
Debate on drugs and transport essential
By RTF chief executive Nick Leggett
We have started a social media campaign,
designed to ask questions so that people can
be aware of some of the unintended
consequences of this bill. For example, as
currently drafted, the bill gives no consideration
to workplace health and safety. Also, where risk
increases, costs such as insurance, and
liabilities, such as board liabilities, increase.
Insurance is risk-priced—risk goes up,
premiums go up.
Social media engagement can be brutal and
it is worth remembering some people are
incentivised to lobby for one side or the other.
The environment in New Zealand now is if
you don’t agree with someone, or you dare to
D
ask a question, often innocently because you
ebate on legalising recreational cannabis
want more information, you are cut to shreds.
is hotting up, as the general election on
Free speech is in real danger, as is independent
October 17 nears. It will be put to a
thought.
referendum vote.
We can draw on information from other
The New Zealand Drug Foundation’s Vote
countries that have legalised recreational
Yes campaign has a lot of money, high-profile
cannabis and we should learn from others
people, and adept social media skills behind it.
experiences. In US publication FleetOwner, we
The Say Nope to Dope campaign is backed
saw an article Do marijuana legalization efforts
by a number of conservative and faith-based
give a false sense of safety? It talks about the
groups, which doesn’t perhaps
lack of awareness about the
make it representative of the
impacts of cannabis on driving
wider population who may be “We are encouraging and draws on the experiences of
considering a no vote. people to ask Darrin Grondel, vice president of
At the Road Transport Forum,
we are asking that people get questions and be traffic safety and government
clear what they are relations for the Foundation for
informed before they vote in
Advancing Alcohol
what appears to be a binding voting for.” Responsibility, in relation to the
referendum.
impact of marijuana usage on
We are not telling people how
commercial vehicle drivers. Here’s
to vote. We are encouraging people to ask
an extract:
questions and be clear what they are voting for
with the Cannabis Legislation and Control Bill. Grondel explained the legalization of
There are unintended consequences that marijuana has made much stronger strains of the
have shown up in other countries where substance more readily available, and has
recreational cannabis has been legalised, expanded the consumption possibilities.
including increased road accidents and deaths. “It is actually much more dangerous because
We don’t think this has been made clear. of the concentration levels that we're seeing in
As the road is the workplace of the people marijuana,” Grondel said. “We've seen marijuana
we represent, road safety is of critical go from 3 to 6% THC concentration, to almost
importance. Truck drivers share the road with all 30% in flower and then to 93 to 94%
other users and no matter how much concentration in some of the oils.
professional drivers control their own behaviour,
“Those concentrations have a deep impact on
they can’t control the behaviour of others on the
the level of impairment,” he added.
road. That makes them vulnerable.
RTANZ NEWS 10Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020
Fleets and safety managers
should be aware of the variety of
methods with which someone
could ingest marijuana. The
traditional pulmonary method is
done through smoking,
vaporizing, dabbing and even
inhalers.
Due to the commercialization
of marijuana, many products can
now be ingested through oral or
digestive products, often
referred to as edibles or
drinkables.
We have research that backs
what we are saying, particularly
from the parts of the US and
Canada where recreational
cannabis use is legal. But in an
emotional debate such as this,
every person seems to draw on
their own research. Bombarding
people with research is unlikely
to sway them. We prefer to rely
on rational thought processes
for those who still have some
questions—we want them to be
able to ask those questions and
look for the answers themselves.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport
Agency has available a research
report you can read here. In
2017 and 2018, road deaths
involving drugs (not just
cannabis, but sometimes a
combination including cannabis)
were higher than road deaths
where the driver was above the
alcohol limit. An easy summary Tackling drink and drug driving is vital to keep roads safe everywhere.
is available here. —Photo: West Midlands Police
Government commits to
roadside drug testing Unsurprisingly, we are seeing an upward trend
The proliferation of drug use including to this sort of impairment and it now surpasses
cannabis, whether legal or illegal, has major those killed with excess alcohol in their system.
implications for the road transport sector, both It was therefore extremely pleasing, in what
when it comes to the safety of our roads and in was one of the final acts of the 52nd Parliament,
relation to workplace health and safety. that the Labour-led government introduced
legislation to give police the power to conduct
When it comes to road safety, we know that
random roadside drug testing of drivers. Once
cannabis and other impairing substances are a
passed, the law will allow police to undertake a
significant contributor to our road toll. Last year,
roadside test to determine if drivers are under
103 people died in crashes on New Zealand
the influence of drugs, just as they do for
roads where the driver was later found to have
alcohol.
drugs in their system.
RTANZ NEWS 11Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020
Rather than the breath test that is used for RTF election manifesto: The role of roads
alcohol, the drug test will be saliva-based and Roads are the lifeblood of the economy and
will identify the presence of impairing as we head into a general election with the focus
recreational drugs such as THC (cannabis), on Covid-19 recovery, we need a clear view of
methamphetamine, opiates, cocaine, MDMA the economic recovery plan.
(ecstasy), and benzodiazepines. The RTF has gone to the five main political
The Road Transport Forum has lobbied parties with our Election Manifesto and asked
governments to institute roadside saliva-based how they will ensure the road freight industry’s
drug testing for well over a decade so we ongoing health, and subsequently, the health of
commend Associate Transport Minister Julie our economy as a trading nation.
Anne Genter and Minister of Police Stuart Nash Pretty much everything you need, every day,
for the introduction of The Land Transport (Drug comes to you on a truck – something I think
Driving) Amendment Bill that will enable it. people came to appreciate during the
Up until now, government ministers have Government’s Covid-19 lockdown and response
pointed to the practical difficulties with saliva level changes.
testing and while not all of those have been With 93 per cent of freight going by road,
solved, this government’s emphasis on road those high value food exports that are going to
safety has prompted it to undertake the save us from economic ruin need to be able to
background work required to inform the practical get to ports and airports and that is done on
implementation of such a regime. trucks. Train lines do not reach
For that, it should be into the farm land of New
congratulated. “All those involved in Zealand.
Regardless of the result of the
cannabis referendum, all those
the transport industry We are concerned that while
should take a pro- there has been a lot of talk about
involved in the transport industry building roads as a means to
should take a proactive interest active interest in the boost the New Zealand
in the progress of this bill. The progress of this bill.” economy, we don’t believe there
new law won’t be passed before is the capability to contract and
the election and a lot of work is manage such projects within the
ahead of the 53rd Parliament to enact it, but I New Zealand workforce. With our border closed
hope it will be one of the first cabs off the rank indefinitely, how are we going to get the people
once the next government is formed. needed to get these projects underway?
The RTF will actively support the bill’s We have picked four areas of greatest
progress and will be requesting a hearing at concern to road freight transport and asked the
select committee stage. I’d encourage transport five main political parties to answer questions.
operators and other industry bodies to also These include plans for economic recovery from
consider making a submission. Please feel free Covid-19; what is planned to ensure truly fair
to contact the RTF office if you require further conditions for employers and workers that allow
advice and information on how to do this. freedom of choice and flexibility; what the
My concern is that, because impairment is investment will be in green freight; and views on
such a significant risk to workplace safety, some the Cannabis Legislation and Control Bill and
of the advances we have made since 2015 could how that will impact workplace health and safety
be compromised if we take too liberal an attitude for an industry that shares the road with the
to the recreational use of cannabis and other public.
drugs. We want our industry well informed on
Liability for the impact of drug impaired political party policies that will impact them and
workers falls squarely on managers, boards, and their futures, so we have set up a website page
other PCBUs and despite the great work of drug dedicated to Election 2020.
testing organisations like TDDA, businesses are The responses to our questions from the five
hamstrung by the inability to practically test main parties are available here.
regularly for staff impairment at work.
There is still a long way to go before we can
be confident that workplaces are safe from the
negative impact of recreational drugs.
RTANZ NEWS 12Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020
Ask a lawyer
Keeping drug driving off New Zealand roads
By Amanda Douglas
scheme, you will not be able to receive the
Resurgence Wage Subsidy in addition to those
payments.
The declarations that employers have been
required to make under the wage subsidy
scheme and the extension will also apply in
respect of the resurgence scheme.
Keeping drug driving off New Zealand roads
In an effort to curb “drug driving” and to improve
road safety for all New Zealanders, The Land
Transport (Drug Driving) Amendment Bill has
been introduced to Parliament, and on August 4,
it passed its first reading.
Under the current law, police can require a
Further extension to the wage subsidy driver to undertake a Compulsory Impairment
O
Test (a form of behavioural test) only if the officer
n August 14, the government announced
has “good cause to suspect” that a driver has
an extension of the COVID-19 Alert Level
consumed drugs. As Compulsory Impairment
3 restrictions for Aucklanders and the
Testing is time-consuming for police to
Alert Level 2 restrictions for all other parts of
undertake, it is not an effective deterrent from
New Zealand. Those restrictions were to
drug driving in our communities.
remain in place until August 26; however,
If the proposed bill becomes law, it will
Cabinet reviewed them on August 21 and made
enable a random roadside oral fluid testing
further decisions the following week.
regime. This means that police would have the
The extension to the Alert
ability to randomly test a driver’s
Level restrictions for New
saliva for the presence of
Zealanders was accompanied “Watch this space; impairing drugs (both legal and
by the announcement that there
would be a third extension to you could be illegal), the same as they currently
providing roadside do for alcohol. The new roadside
the government’s wage subsidy
oral fluid testing regime would be
scheme. This has been saliva tests as early used in addition to Compulsory
described as the Resurgence
as 2021.” Impairment Testing.
Wage Subsidy.
The roadside oral fluid testing
Employers who have had, or
regime would initially test for THC
are expected to have, a 40 per cent decline in
(the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis),
revenue because of COVID-19 for a period of 14
methamphetamine, benzodiazepines
days between August 12 and September 10
(medications commonly prescribed as sleeping
compared to the same period in 2019, will be
pills and/or to treat anxiety), MDMA, opiates and
eligible to receive this funding.
cocaine. Further drug groups may also be tested
Despite Level 3 restrictions being in place
for in the future.
only in Auckland at the time of writing, the third
wage subsidy extension will be available to Currently, the proposed bill is silent on setting
businesses nationwide. This is likely a reflection criminal limits for the drug groups. These
of the substantial influence that Auckland has criminal limits would be introduced by an
over the nation’s economy. independent expert panel at concentration levels
Applications can be made to the Ministry of in blood that align with drink driving measures of
Social Development (MSD) until September 3. If impairment, i.e. 80mg/100ml blood. But do not
you are already receiving funding under the first worry, these limits will not penalise drivers who
wage subsidy extension or the leave support have accidental or passive exposure to drugs or
RTANZ NEWS 13Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020
have consumed medicine that is unlikely to Please contact Amanda Douglas, at Wynn
impair driving. Williams, Amanda.douglas@wynnwilliams.co.nz
The bill outlines proposed penalties for any inquiries. Members are able to access 15
(infringement and criminal) for drivers who fail minutes free with Wynn Williams to triage any
two consecutive oral fluid tests. Infringement issue and to find a way forward. Please do not
penalties (for readings below the criminal limit)
hesitate to get in touch to discuss your
would include spot fines, licence suspension,
employment needs.
and loss of demerit points; and criminal
penalties would include prison terms, fines, and
mandatory disqualification from driving. The bill
also outlines combination offences and
penalties if a driver has consumed multiple
drugs, or drugs and alcohol together.
The bill will be referred to Select Committee
after this year’s election, and is not yet law.
Despite still being in the early stages of
becoming law, there is widespread
parliamentary and community support for the
bill. So watch this space; you could be providing
roadside saliva tests as early as 2021.
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RTANZ NEWS 14Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020
Technology
EROAD maximises fleet performance
T
he service and maintenance of • Minimising risk: It’s easier to meet your health
commercial vehicles can be costly, and safety requirements with a well-maintained
complex, and time-consuming. To fleet;
address these inefficiencies, EROAD has • Improving driver safety: In-cab driver
bundled all its services that reduce down-time
messaging enables you to alert or
and limit operating costs into one
inform drivers before they start
easy-to-use solution, called
MyEROAD Fleet Maintenance. “This comprehensive their shifts;
This comprehensive solution solution takes the • Vehicle Health Insights: Easy-
takes the hassle out of the hassle out of the to-access information that
complicated fleet maintenance informs vehicle life cycle
process by centralising all vehicle
complicated fleet decisions.
service and maintenance maintenance
information in one place, process.”
providing automated service
scheduling based on time lapsed,
distance travelled, or engine hours, plus a full
service-history archive.
MyEROAD Fleet Maintenance includes In-
Cab Service Alerts, which sends information
directly to drivers (via EROAD’s in-cab Ehubo2
device) to remind them of appointments. Drivers
can access the Inspect App from any IOS or
##################################
Android device, easily completing pre-trip ##################################
inspection checks to identify any issues, with ##################################
this information syncing directly to the ##################################
MyEROAD Fleet Maintenance for back-office ##################################
visibility and repair progress. ##################################
To avoid lost paperwork, other parties can be ##################################
given access to update the services they have ##################################
performed, keeping supplier information, service ##################################
details, invoice numbers, and costs all in one ##################################
##################################
place. Compliance becomes easier with
##################################
automated notifications for WoF and CoF, and ##################################
vehicle registrations. ##################################
MyEROAD Fleet Maintenance makes it easier ##################################
for any organisation to drive a more efficient and ##################################
compliant vehicle fleet through: ##################################
• Boosting profitability: Time is money so ##################################
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reduce the risk of breakdowns, failed roadside ##################################
inspections, and lost productivity, by keeping ##################################
your vehicles on the road; ##################################
• Reducing operating costs: Avoid unforeseen ##################################
##################################
repairs with automated service scheduling, ##################################
keeping vehicle maintenance up to date; ##################################
• Eliminating time wastage: Remove the time ##################################
spent wading through spreadsheets with
automated maintenance data available in a few
simple clicks;
RTANZ NEWS 15Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020
Technology
Now is the time for contactless business
t the time of writing, Auckland is in the those jobs will go all the way through to invoicing.
A midst of its second lockdown due to
COVID-19. While road transport remains
an essential service, the changes in alert
levels continue to have an impact across the
You also allocate jobs to your drivers and
vehicles on the daysheet, and schedule them at
certain times of the day.
You can attach digital versions of key
country. This is an excellent reminder for all documentation to share with your drivers, in a
transporters across New Zealand to sharpen up range of common file formats such as PDF, excel,
their contactless practices. word, or jpeg.
This needn’t be a major overhaul of your The daysheet replaces the large paper diary,
processes, as there are many ways you can make highlighters, and coloured pens in the office,
tweaks to your existing toolset. along with booking confirmations handed to
MyTrucking’s job management software has drivers.
been designed to eliminate the movement of Mobile app
paper, and as a result reduces unnecessary
person-to-person contact. This mobile app is where drivers receive their
If you’re an existing MyTrucking user, make jobs, usually a day or two in advance. At the end
sure you are getting the most out of it and that of a job, drivers update the job details with actual
you are using all the features it has to offer so you quantities and tallies.
can provide a safe service for your team and your They can add dockets, weighbridge receipts,
customers, now and in the future. and other “paperwork” that then gets
permanently attached to the job and sent back to
Daysheet your main MyTrucking account and daysheet.
The daysheet is where you organise your jobs. There is no actual paper collected—instead
You add them once (or better yet, let your you’ll always have a digital record, which is quick
customers add them for you) and the details of and easy to find no matter where you are.
RTANZ NEWS 16Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020 Delivery notifications accept jobs, and your customers receive status Delivery notifications are all about letting your updates and PoD on their computers. It’s customers know where their order is at. Through instant, and paperless! a combination of text messages and emails you Free trial can let customers know that their order has So, it doesn’t matter what industry you’re in—if been accepted, their order is on the way (so you’re moving product in vehicles (big or small), they can prepare the delivery site), or confirming you should be doing it in a contactless way. And the details of the order that was delivered. MyTrucking can help. Sign up to a free two- Invoicing week trial—including full customer support—to With integration to the most popular accounting see how easy it is to make your business safer: systems, MyTrucking allows you to quickly and www.mytrucking.com/freetrial easily invoice for your jobs as often as you like. You’ll never miss invoicing for a job, and you’ll For more information on going contactless, visit: get paid quicker. www.mytrucking.com/contactless. Again, this all happens from your computer, so you are not handing paper from one staff member to another, and you won’t need to issue paper invoices to your customers. Customer Portal The customer portal is where your customers create job requests for you. You review and RTANZ NEWS 17
Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020
Essential information for members
The Road Transport Forum (RTF) is the central 2019 Operator Cost Comparison Report—
point of communication for the road freight how to get your copy
transport industry. Visit the RTF website here to
The latest operator cost comparison report is
keep up to date on media releases, Nick’s blog,
now available for purchase from RTF. The report
submissions, and advisories.
presents the results of a confidential cost survey
COVID-19 of trucking businesses across New Zealand
WorkSafe signed off road freight transport conducted for the RTF by the New Zealand
specific guidance and protocols developed by Institute for Business Research (NZIBR),
the RTF to help businesses be safe during the University of Waikato.
COVID-19 alert levels. These remain best The latest survey covers the financial year of
practice at this time. 2019. The cost of copies of the report are:
WorkSafe—COVID-19 safety plan $250+GST for members of RTF and $400+GST
for non-members. To purchase, please email
WorkSafe has developed a template to help forum@rtf.nz or call (04) 472 3877.
develop a COVID-19 safety plan, which you can
find here.
General information
The COVID-19 website: https://covid19.govt.nz/
has general information including Government
support available to businesses.
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RTANZ NEWS 18Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020
Business News
Scania NZ expands dealer network
S
cania New Zealand is expanding its
dealer network with eight more
workshops being set up across
New Zealand in key locations.
This will be achieved by acquiring
seven Trucks & Trailers service centres
around New Zealand in what represents
one of the international truck
manufacturer’s largest investments in its
global brand for 2020. An additional
Scania workshop will also be established
in Rotorua.
Scania Executive Vice President—
Head of Commercial Operations, Mathias
Carlbaum, says New Zealand especially
appealed for an investment of this scale.
“This is one of Scania’s most
significant investments in our global
structure this year. During these
challenging times, we are taking an
important step in our business
commitment in New Zealand where we
see capacity for growth within its local
market, to support our New Zealand
customers.”
The multi-million dollar expansion is
also the largest strategic play by Scania
New Zealand since the Swedish brand
set up shop here nearly two years ago.
Mattias Lundholm, managing director
of Scania New Zealand, says it is a
massive vote of confidence for the
growth and direction of the brand.
“We have increased our market share
by 100 per cent in the last year, and now Scania NZ and Trucks & Trailers join forces. From left: Trucks &
acquiring these centres significantly Trailers owners Shannon Wright and Mark Wright; Mattias
Lundholm, Scania NZ managing director; and Don Wright,
expands Scania’s footprint across the
Trucks & Trailers founder and director.
country. Just as important, this move
also underlines our commitment to our
Scania’s dedicated team of independent dealers
customers and provincial New Zealand.
across its existing network. Lundholm says this
“Globally, Scania has the biggest retail
deal also allows for a significant investment by
presence of any truck manufacturer; now New
Scania NZ into provincial communities where the
Zealand is proud to be following in those
new dealers are based.
footsteps.
“Beyond that, this is also a business decision
“This expansion will lift Scania’s stable of
that sends a powerful message to other global
nationwide dealerships to 30, and almost treble
brands about the attractiveness of NZ Inc., with
its current number of employees to a team of
its comparatively strong fundamentals—
more than 190.”
especially given what is currently happening
Throughout the transition period, Scania
around the world.”
customers will continue to be well supported by
RTANZ NEWS 19Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020
Trucks & Trailers is a family-owned business “Customers are very happy with Trucks &
with more than 30 years’ experience in the New Trailers and the work they do. The industry sees
Zealand transport industry. Owner, Mark Wright, them as a benchmark.”
says it represents much more than a business to The deal will become effective from
his family, and they are delighted to be acquired November this year, and Scania says branding
by a premier brand like will be completed across the eight locations
Scania. before this time.
“One of our key
motivations for
considering this “Acquiring these centres
opportunity was to build significantly expands
on what Trucks & Trailers Scania’s footprint across
have already proudly
achieved in the last 33 the country.”
years. It is clear our —Mattias Lundholm, managing
business philosophies, director, Scania New Zealand
culture, and aspirations
are very well aligned, and
Scania New Zealand provides the scale and
infrastructure to continue this on our behalf over
the next 30 years and beyond.”
Lundholm says it was also important for
Scania to align with a business that shared its
values towards its people, customers, and
community, and Trucks & Trailers was an ideal fit.
RTANZ NEWS 20Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020
Membership benefits
Boost saves money for employees
W
ith your RTANZ membership, your Boost is powered by n3, a business buying
business can access Boost—all free of group that helps you save on your business
charge. essentials.
Boost is a subscription-based employee RTANZ has covered the cost of n3 and Boost
benefits program. It comes in a handy for RTANZ members—so there’s no cost to your
smartphone app, so your employees can business.
access discounts at loads of awesome retailers, • n3 is a business buying network with over
both in-store and online, all the time. 15,000 members. It’s dedicated to making it
Boost lets you top up employee simple for Kiwi businesses to save money
remuneration with a company benefits plan tied across all areas of day-to-day business.
to popular retailers and service providers. With
discounts available at retailers across the board, • In the last year, Road Transport Association
from accommodation to food and beverage to Members saved over $2.1 million* utilising
insurance and activities, as well as big retailers n3 suppliers.
like Torpedo7 and PlaceMakers, there’s If you would like to get started now, please visit
something for everyone. www.n3.co.nz/RTANZ to activate your n3
It’s a great way to retain great people, membership, or contact the n3 team to find out
increase loyalty and build a more positive work more on 0508 20 30 40.
culture. And it’s customisable, so can be
branded with your company logo and you can * The savings are based on average active
add existing offers you may have available. trading association member savings in 2019.
RTANZ NEWS 21Road Transport Association NZ Inc. September 2020
Membership benefits
RTANZ delivers savings and benefits
T
here are many reasons why it pays to Crombie Lockwood—exclusive insurance
become a member of the Road Transport package
Association (RTANZ), says Membership Crombie Lockwood are our preferred insurance
Benefits Coordinator Vicki Harris. brokers and provide yearly assessments to best
NZI is RTANZ’s preferred insurance company evaluate your insurance needs and to assist you with a
and main sponsor structured cover and policy to meet all your transport
operator insurance requirements. They offer an
NZI’s Commercial Motor division offers more than
exclusive insurance package to RTANZ members with
just insurance. They also provide a unique suite of
increased benefits.
free and subsidised services that produce
meaningful business improvements regardless of Wynn Williams—free legal advice
your size and circumstance. Wynn Williams provide a specialty RTANZ legal team
Discounted fuel pricing scheme with BP, Mobil, offering a 15-minute free telephone consultation for
Z Business, and Allied Petroleum employment issues, agreements, health & safety, and
policy advice across the transport sector.
Fuel is the second largest cost to your business.
RTANZ has partnerships with several fuel providers Gibson Sheat Lawyers
to provide members with substantial fuel price Specialist legal advice for road transport operators
discounts through the RTANZ Fuel Scheme. If you (compliance, prosecutions, limited licences,
would like a fuel analysis done so you know if you employment, health and safety, RUC, commercial
are getting the best price for your fuel, then Vicki is contracts and business acquisitions).
happy to help. iCOS Live—transport management software
Bridgestone—premium discounts on new and provider discounts
re-tread tyres iCOS LIVE is an online transport management software
Tyres are the third largest cost for truck operators. provider for logistics and freight companies. They offer
Bridgestone NZ have entered into a key supply a discount to members of $10 a month per truck for
agreement to assist all RTANZ members to receive those who use their online transport and logistics
premium discounts on new tyres and re-treads. management software.
RTANZ NEWS 22You can also read
